Donald Trump’s presidency has introduced a “new” post-truth era characterized by science denial, “alternative facts,” and a monumentalist longing for some lost American greatness. The association of post-truth solely with Trump’s election, however, elides analysis of the conditions of possibility of both phenomena. The focus on Trump’s bellicosity, overt racism, anti-immigrant sentiment, queer bashing, and misogyny, while important, distracts from the necessary self-critique of liberal elites on their roles in Trump’s ascendency. This paper imperfectly traces the antecedents of the current post-truth moment: sophisticated public relations and propaganda technologies developed in the United States during the early 20th century and the revolt of many liberal intellectuals against Progressive democratic discourses and institutions. The author then discusses his subjective reconstruction of some of his commonsense truths through two autobiographical reflections. Finally, he discusses the implications for curriculum theorizing in this post-truth era in the context of Foucault’s analysis of parrhēsia.
In every case, copyright of work appearing in JCT is retained by the author. In accordance with its mandate to promote discussion on matters of curriculum, the Foundation for Curriculum Theory permits limited reproduction of parts of JCT. Individual articles may be reprinted for educational purposes, provided that no fees (other than copying costs) are charged.
For information regarding more extensive copying or reproduction for other purposes, contact:
editors@jctonline.org
